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Oil and gas skills strategy reveals rapidly changing sector

Published by , Editorial Assistant
World Pipelines,


OPITO’s Skills Landscape 2019 – 2025 report, part of the UKCS Workforce Dynamics research series, reveals technology advances, internationalisation and the transition to a lower carbon future are accelerating changing skills demands in the sector.

Oil and gas skills strategy reveals rapidly changing sector

It is expected that around 80% of the current workforce will still be working within the industry in 2025, taking into account natural attrition and retirement. The opportunity to retain these skills, as well as upskill and reskill the workforce as the industry adapts to take advantage of new technologies and different ways of working, is substantial.

In just six years it is estimated the industry needs to attract 25 000 new people and 4500 of those will be into completely new roles that do not currently exist in areas such as data science, automation and new materials. Future roles may include ‘Artificial Intelligence Business Developer’, ‘Virtual Reality Journey Builder’ and ‘3D Material Scientist’.

Built on four strategic components – Retain, Retrain, Recruit, and Renew – the report, led by OPITO in partnership with Robert Gordon University’s Oil & Gas Institute, is designed to help the sector develop an increasingly flexible, multi-skilled and technology-enabled workforce.

A route map has been developed to bring organisations together to deliver on targeted actions. Coordinated and facilitated by OPITO, on behalf of industry, the route map includes activities such as developing new education and training courses, technology focused apprenticeships and initiatives that support future recruitment and skills diversity.

Mark Cullens, Director of Strategic Engagement at OPITO said: “Oil and gas skills requirements are changing rapidly. Equipping the current workforce with the skills to adapt to this dynamic business environment is essential and work needs to begin right away.

“We have the potential to leverage UK skills and capabilities around the world, but close collaboration and partnership is needed to make an effective and lasting impact. We require a sharp focus on supporting the industry to take advantage of the benefits of digitisation and energy transition, creating a more technology-enabled, fluid and multi-skilled workforce of tomorrow. OPITO is working with industry and various stakeholders to coordinate and facilitate a route map of actions to help support the industry’s Vision 2035 and the role of the sector in the low carbon economy.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/02052019/oil-and-gas-skills-strategy-reveals-rapidly-changing-sector/

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